MAGAN

The Bronze Age civilization (3200 BCE – 1300 BCE) birthed the use of copper. The Magan tribe became an important source of copper for the Mesopotamian region, Indus valley, and Sumerian. They were famous for ceramic vessels and maritime capability. King Sargon of Agade [i] around 2350 BCE, boasted that ships of Magan, Dilmun [ii], and Meluhha [iii] all docked at the port of Akkad [iv]. Naram-Sin of Akkad invaded Magan [v], the internal political crisis within the Indus led to the decline of copper purchased from Magan. Anatoly and Alashiya started producing copper. The collapse of the Bronze Age [vi] led to the eventual decline of Magan.

The Magan land was rich in copper, which was an important resource in the Bronze Age period [vii]. Their land was strategically located, and trade between the Indus Valley [viii] and Sumer [ix] was made through Magan. The Akkadians switched positions throughout their history with the Magan; Naram-Sin of Agade invaded the Magan but later named one of their city after King Manium [x] of Magan in other to honor him. The Gutian [xi] King attacked Magan around (2113 – 2096 BCE) but was later deposed [xii], and trade between the two regions resumed. The Magan didn't have many rivals; they were majorly traders with a simple lifestyle.

The Magan is a focal point for the present and future generations to know more about ancient life. This region is so rich in resources and data’s which played an important role in art [xiii], science, and technological advancement in today’s world. They serve as the pacesetter and foundation on which generations of today are building. They have a great influence on today’s religion. Magan was famous for its maritime capabilities. Women built Magan reed boats [xiv]; this has influenced today’s women [xv] in science and technology. Some of the Magan engineering blueprints are still amongst what the modern-day boat engineers are building on.

Like most ancient kingdoms and empires, the Magan tribe operated a monarchical system of government with a slight touch of Theocracy. According to the deciphered Sumerian cuneiform text Naram-Sin [xvi], the successor of King Sargon, waged war against Magan and defeated them; he later reconciled with the Magan tribe and named Manium-ki [xvii] one of the Akkadian cities after king of Magan , King Manium. Religion played an important role in the Magan society as they built temples at the city's center and inside their tombs. They believed in life after death which the reflection can be seen in their funerary architectural [xviii] designs.

The Magan history can be dated back to 2600 BCE. They were first mentioned during the Umm-al-Nar period. They referred to the Lords of Magan, and King Sagon of Agade talked about the ship of Magan docked at his port. But Magan existed way back more than 2600 BCE. The clay tablet [xix] found around the Mesopotamian region [xx] dated back to 3000 BCE shows Magan played an important role in the civilization of the Bronze Age; this period birthed the use of copper as an important material. A lot of references were made to Magan as the sources of copper and diorite.

The Bronze Age civilization gave birth to extensive use of copper and diorite [xxi], which brought Magan into the spotlight. with limited resources available. Magan became an important tribe in the development of the Bronze Age. Mesopotamian, Indus Valley, and the Sumerian region depended largely on Magan copper and diorite for religious and social purposes. Magan played an important role in the advancement of funerary architectural designs and ceramics vessels [xxii]. The Bronze Age period believed in life after death, which led to preparation for life after death through burial rites; this led to advancement in funerary and ceramic designs, which the Magan championed.

The geographical location of the Magans and the presence of copper and diorite made Magan a focal point of trade and commerce. The Indus Valley and the Sumerians had to conduct trade through Magan. Magan was the sole source and supplier of copper and diorite for the whole Mesopotamian region [xxiii], the Sumerian and the Indus Valley, and down to the horn of Africa. They were famous for their shipbuilding and marine time capability, which made them excellent traders, as they could travel far and wide on both sea and land. They contributed greatly to the advancement of the Bronze Age period.